Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the effects of Ozone depletion:

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 1 and 2 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

The correct option is B 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

• Ozone depletion leads to a decrease in the productivity of phytoplankton.
• Exposure to UV radiations has been shown to affect both orientation and motility in phytoplankton, resulting in reduced survival rates for these organisms.

Statement 2 is correct:

• Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

• Ozone depletion disturbs the biogeochemical cycles.
• Increases in UV radiation could affect terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical cycles, thus altering both sources and sinks of greenhouse and chemically important trace gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbonyl sulfide, ozone, and possibly other gases).
• These potential changes would contribute to biosphere-atmosphere feedbacks that mitigate or amplify the atmospheric concentrations of these gases.